Moves-of-the-Week Discussion #56: Thunderbolt & Thunder

winstein

winstein

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In Pokémon, there are lots of different moves used by different Pokémon. Every week, we shall focus the discussion on a different move, and there will be some base questions that would help you start this off. This week, Thunderbolt & Thunder are chosen.

This week, we will do two powerful Electric attacks that were around since Generation 1. Thunderbolt and Thunder serve as great attacks that find use in battling, for its power and usefulness, as a method to get past Water-types and Flying-types. Its users are surprisingly diverse, where you even have Normal-types learning them. Unleashing electricity is bound to find a few uses, since electricity is very useful in facilitating our daily lives.

Here's the in-game description for both moves:

Thunderbolt (BW) said:
Type: Electric (Special)
Base Power: 95
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 15

A strong electric blast is loosed at the target. It may also leave the target with paralysis.
Click to expand...

Thunder (BW) said:
Type: Electric (Special)
Base Power: 120
Accuracy: 70%
PP: 10

A wicked thunderbolt is dropped on the target to inflict damage. It may also leave the target with

paralysis.
Click to expand...

Here are the usual possible questions about this move:
  • How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move? What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
  • How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
  • Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
  • How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions (You could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):
  • How do Pokémon that aren't Electric-types use this move, especially the various Normal-types?
  • How does the user summon a Thunder, considering that it drops from the sky?

Here is the current user for Thunderbolt (Put in Spoiler due to large learner list):
(Level-up)​
  • Pikachu & Raichu
  • Elekid, Electabuzz & Electivire
  • Eelektrik
  • Stunfisk
  • Zekrom

    (Technical Machine 24)
  • Rattata & Raticate
  • Nidoran♀, Nidorina & Nidoqueen
  • Nidoran♂, Nidorino & Nidoking
  • Clefairy & Clefable
  • Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
  • Meowth & Persian
  • Mankey & Primeape
  • Magnemite, Magneton & Magnezone
  • Grimer & Muk
  • Gastly, Haunter & Gengar
  • Voltorb & Electrode
  • Lickitung & Lickilicky
  • Koffing & Weezing
  • Rhyhorn, Rhydon & Rhyperior
  • Chansey & Blissey
  • Kangaskhan
  • Staryu & Starmie
  • Mime Jr. & Mr. Mime
  • Tauros
  • Gyarados
  • Lapras
  • Jolteon
  • Porygon, Porygon2 & Porygon-Z
  • Munchlax & Snorlax
  • Zapdos
  • Dratini, Dragonair & Dragonite
  • Mewtwo
  • Mew
  • Sentret & Furret
  • Chinchou & Lanturn
  • Pichu
  • Mareep, Flaaffy & Ampharos
  • Aipom & Ambipom
  • Misdreavus & Mismagius
  • Girafarig
  • Dunsparce
  • Snubbull & Granbull
  • Stantler
  • Miltank
  • Raikou
  • Tyranitar
  • Lugia & Ho-Oh
  • Zigzagoon & Linoone
  • Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir & Gallade
  • Slakoth, Vigoroth & Slaking
  • Nosepass & Probopass
  • Skitty & Delcatty
  • Aggron
  • Electrike & Manectric
  • Plusle & Minun
  • Volbeat & Illumise
  • Zangoose
  • Castform
  • Kecleon
  • Shuppet & Banette
  • Absol
  • Regirock, Regice & Registeel
  • Latias & Latios
  • Kyogre, Groudon & Rayquaza
  • Jirachi
  • Deoxys
  • Bidoof & Bibarel
  • Shinx, Luxio & Luxray
  • Cranidos & Rampardos
  • Shieldon & Bastiodon
  • Pachirisu
  • Drifloon & Drifblim
  • Buneary & Lopunny
  • Glameow & Purugly
  • Magmortar
  • Froslass
  • Rotom
  • Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf
  • Dialga, Palkia & Giratina
  • Regigigas
  • Darkrai
  • Arceus
  • Victini
  • Patrat & Watchog
  • Lillipup, Herdier & Stoutland
  • Blitzle & Zebstrika
  • Audino
  • Garbodor
  • Minccino & Cinccino
  • Gothita, Gothorita & Gothitelle
  • Emolga
  • Joltik & Galvantula
  • Ferroseed & Ferrothorn
  • Klink, Klang & Klinklang
  • Eelektross
  • Elgyem & Beheeyem
  • Golurk
  • Thundurus
  • Meloetta
  • Genesect

Here is the current user for Thunder (Put in Spoiler due to large learner list):
(Level-up)​
  • Pikachu
  • Elekid, Electabuzz & Electivire
  • Jolteon
  • Mareep, Flaffy & Ampharos
  • Raikou
  • Electrike & Manectric
  • Plusle & Minun
  • Thundurus
  • Zekrom

    (Technical Machine 25)
  • Rattata & Raticate
  • Pichu & Raichu
  • Nidoran♀, Nidorina & Nidoqueen
  • Nidoran♂, Nidorino & Nidoking
  • Clefairy & Clefable
  • Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
  • Meowth & Persian
  • Mankey & Primeape
  • Magnemite & Magneton
  • Grimer & Muk
  • Gastly & Haunter (Up to Gen 2)
  • Gengar
  • Voltorb & Electrode
  • Lickitung & Lickilicky
  • Koffing & Weezing
  • Rhyhorn, Rhydon & Rhyperior
  • Chansey & Blissey
  • Kangaskhan
  • Staryu & Starmie
  • Mime Jr. & Mr. Mime
  • Tauros
  • Gyarados
  • Lapras
  • Porygon, Porygon2 & Porygon-Z
  • Munchlax & Snorlax
  • Dratini, Dragonair & Dragonite
  • Mewtwo
  • Mew
  • Furret
  • Chinchou & Lanturn
  • Aipom & Ambipom
  • Misdreavus & Mismagius
  • Girafarig
  • Dunsparce
  • Snubbull & Granbull
  • Stantler
  • Miltank
  • Tyranitar
  • Lugia & Ho-Oh
  • Zigzagoon & Linoone
  • Slakoth, Vigoroth & Slaking
  • Nosepass & Probopass
  • Skitty & Delcatty
  • Aggron
  • Volbeat & Illumise
  • Zangoose
  • Castform
  • Kecleon
  • Shuppet & Banette
  • Absol
  • Regirock, Regice & Registeel
  • Latias & Latios
  • Kyogre, Groudon & Rayquaza
  • Jirachi
  • Deoxys
  • Bidoof & Bibarel
  • Shinx, Luxio & Luxray
  • Cranidos & Rampardos
  • Shieldon & Bastiodon
  • Pachirisu
  • Drifloon & Drifblim
  • Lopunny
  • Glameow & Purugly
  • Froslass
  • Rotom
  • Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf
  • Dialga, Palkia & Giratina
  • Regigigas
  • Darkrai
  • Arceus
  • Victini
  • Watchog
  • Stoutland
  • Blitzle & Zebstrika
  • Audino
  • Cinccino
  • Solosis, Duosion & Reuniclus
  • Emolga
  • Galvantula
  • Ferrothorn
  • Klinklang
  • Eelektrik & Eelektross
  • Stunfisk
  • Meloetta
  • Genesect

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: Moderately powerful Fire attack.​
 
These are arguably the most easily recognized of all attacks since they are the signature moves of Pikachu, the mascot. My theory for how a lot of normal types use these moves is somehow building up massive levels of static electricity in their fur, and unleashing it in a bolt. I'm not sure how the ones without fur would use it though... magic?

But seriously, if a Pokemon is capable of producing Fire within its body, I don't see any reason why it couldn't build up an electrical charge. I think Thunder would work more by discharging the charge into the air, where it somehow intensifies before striking down. And since it's lightning, this would be almost instantaneous so it wouldn't need a charging period.
 
I think Psychic Pokemon can use Thunderbolt by summoning electricity, and Steel Pokemon can attract a thunderbolt and release it at the opponent. Legendary Pokemon often use it because summoning electricity can be shown as a symbol of power; this also goes for Thunder. When it comes to the other questions, Thunderbolt could be used to aid power plants as a back-up source. It couldn't be a primary source because Pokemon aren't machines; they get tired. Also, while not exactly a profession, I could imagine a burglar using Thunderbolt to knock out the person they are robbing from.
 
The only thing I don't get is how Pokemon like Gyarados, Starmie, Tyranitar or Rampardos could possibly wield these attacks. I mean, it's really cool and helpful that they do, but why...?
 
GliscorMan said:
The only thing I don't get is how Pokemon like Gyarados, Starmie, Tyranitar or Rampardos could possibly wield these attacks. I mean, it's really cool and helpful that they do, but why...?
Click to expand...

Gyarados can possibly use it because it's supposed to be agressive- maybe it adapted to use that attack. Starmie could summon lightning because it is part Psychic type. Tyranitar probably can because it is a psuedo-legendary and they usually get attacks like that. Rampardos maybe went extinct from getting shocked by lightning too much?
 
Interesting. I always wondered how Gengar would use Thunderbolt. Using its ghostly powers to create spectral electricity?
 
Psychic types use Thunderbolt and Thunder by using their psychic powers, electric types use it from the electricity flowing through their body. I dunno how all those normal types use it, though.
 
Lets see: Two moves that seem to find their way onto at least one of the pokemon on just about everybody's team. Reliable and versatile. Solid damage and accuracy. Able to be learned by quite a lot of pokemon, notably some more unnexpected ones (Starmie:mad:). Enhanced in rain. Cool animations in all games.

Basically, some hella' moves.
 
They're both part of the moves that are really good, yet widely spread throughout diverse pokemons. At least one of them should be rare enough, especially Thunder.
 
Thunderbolt should be the right choice if you have a good electric special attacker or even some non-electric good special attacker, because of the accuracy. If you got a poor attacker/special attacker that needs an electric move, Thunder is the best choice, since you need to compensate its poor special attack. You should also choose Thunder if your pokémon is prepared to use a Rain Dance strategy. You can even choose Thunder with a good attacker which has no EV in special attack.
 
Please note: The thread is from 13 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
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